take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading There was the magic of quest, of pure, unspoiled adventure in their very efforts to catch the head-waiter's eye.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading They carried themselves with an air of subdued audacity, of innocent inquiry.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They carried themselves with an air of subdued audacity, of innocent inquiry.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was as if they called from its fantastic dwelling-place the attendant spirit of delight.
attendantnounUS /əˈtendənt/
someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another
From this reading It was as if they called from its fantastic dwelling-place the attendant spirit of delight.
audacitynounUS /ɑːˈdæs.ə.t̬i/
A willingness to take bold risks; insolent and daring boldness that defies all authority.
From this reading They carried themselves with an air of subdued audacity, of innocent inquiry.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading It was as if they called from its fantastic dwelling-place the attendant spirit of delight.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They came into the hotel dining-room like young persons making their first entry into life.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading They carried themselves with an air of subdued audacity, of innocent inquiry.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading There was the magic of quest, of pure, unspoiled adventure in their very efforts to catch the head-waiter's eye.
charmedadjectiveUS /tʃɑːrmd/
strongly attracted
From this reading When the great doors opened to them they stood still on the threshold, charmed, expectant.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading It was as if they called from its fantastic dwelling-place the attendant spirit of delight.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading They came into the hotel dining-room like young persons making their first entry into life.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading When the great doors opened to them they stood still on the threshold, charmed, expectant.
dwelling-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if they called from its fantastic dwelling-place the attendant spirit of delight.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading There was the magic of quest, of pure, unspoiled adventure in their very efforts to catch the head-waiter's eye.
entrynounUS /ˈentri/
an item inserted in a written record
From this reading They came into the hotel dining-room like young persons making their first entry into life.
expectantadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektənt/
marked by eager anticipation
From this reading When the great doors opened to them they stood still on the threshold, charmed, expectant.
the organ of sight
From this reading There was the magic of quest, of pure, unspoiled adventure in their very efforts to catch the head-waiter's eye.
fantasticadjectiveUS /fænˈtæstɪk/
ludicrously odd
From this reading It was as if they called from its fantastic dwelling-place the attendant spirit of delight.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading They came into the hotel dining-room like young persons making their first entry into life.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was as if they called from its fantastic dwelling-place the attendant spirit of delight.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading When the great doors opened to them they stood still on the threshold, charmed, expectant.
head-waiter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the magic of quest, of pure, unspoiled adventure in their very efforts to catch the head-waiter's eye.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading They came into the hotel dining-room like young persons making their first entry into life.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was as if they called from its fantastic dwelling-place the attendant spirit of delight.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was the magic of quest, of pure, unspoiled adventure in their very efforts to catch the head-waiter's eye.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading They carried themselves with an air of subdued audacity, of innocent inquiry.
inquirynounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪriː/
a search for knowledge
From this reading They carried themselves with an air of subdued audacity, of innocent inquiry.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading They came into the hotel dining-room like young persons making their first entry into life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was as if they called from its fantastic dwelling-place the attendant spirit of delight.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was as if they called from its fantastic dwelling-place the attendant spirit of delight.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading They came into the hotel dining-room like young persons making their first entry into life.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading They came into the hotel dining-room like young persons making their first entry into life.
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading There was the magic of quest, of pure, unspoiled adventure in their very efforts to catch the head-waiter's eye.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading They came into the hotel dining-room like young persons making their first entry into life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They carried themselves with an air of subdued audacity, of innocent inquiry.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When the great doors opened to them they stood still on the threshold, charmed, expectant.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading When the great doors opened to them they stood still on the threshold, charmed, expectant.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading They came into the hotel dining-room like young persons making their first entry into life.
free of extraneous elements of any kind
From this reading There was the magic of quest, of pure, unspoiled adventure in their very efforts to catch the head-waiter's eye.
questnounUS /kwest/
a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria
From this reading There was the magic of quest, of pure, unspoiled adventure in their very efforts to catch the head-waiter's eye.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading It was as if they called from its fantastic dwelling-place the attendant spirit of delight.
not in physical motion
From this reading When the great doors opened to them they stood still on the threshold, charmed, expectant.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading When the great doors opened to them they stood still on the threshold, charmed, expectant.
subduedadjectiveUS /səbˈduːd/
in a softened tone
From this reading They carried themselves with an air of subdued audacity, of innocent inquiry.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They came into the hotel dining-room like young persons making their first entry into life.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They came into the hotel dining-room like young persons making their first entry into life.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When the great doors opened to them they stood still on the threshold, charmed, expectant.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They carried themselves with an air of subdued audacity, of innocent inquiry.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was the magic of quest, of pure, unspoiled adventure in their very efforts to catch the head-waiter's eye.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They came into the hotel dining-room like young persons making their first entry into life.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading When the great doors opened to them they stood still on the threshold, charmed, expectant.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the great doors opened to them they stood still on the threshold, charmed, expectant.
unspoiledadjectiveUS /ənˈspɔɪld/
not left to spoil
From this reading There was the magic of quest, of pure, unspoiled adventure in their very efforts to catch the head-waiter's eye.
precisely as stated
From this reading There was the magic of quest, of pure, unspoiled adventure in their very efforts to catch the head-waiter's eye.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was the magic of quest, of pure, unspoiled adventure in their very efforts to catch the head-waiter's eye.
at the time that
From this reading When the great doors opened to them they stood still on the threshold, charmed, expectant.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They carried themselves with an air of subdued audacity, of innocent inquiry.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading They came into the hotel dining-room like young persons making their first entry into life.
